| What is Normal? | | | | Urinary tract infections affect both men |
| Each month women across the world have | | | | and women but women are more likely to |
| to deal with the uncomfortable effects | | | | develop them. Due to the fact that women |
| of menstruation. Although women may only | | | | have a shorter urethra, bacteria can |
| experience certain symptoms or varying | | | | infiltrate the bladder more easily. |
| degrees of conditions, it is important | | | | Women are also more prone to urinary |
| to recognize the characteristics of a | | | | tract infections if they have had one |
| normal menstruation cycle. The average | | | | previously, if their mothers or sisters |
| length of a cycle is 28 days. However, | | | | have had one, are sexually active, or |
| "the cycle length may range from 20 to | | | | past menopause. Urinary tract infections |
| 45 days and still be considered normal." | | | | can be treated with antibiotics after |
| Younger women in particular may find | | | | tests are taken from a health care |
| that their menstrual cycles are | | | | provider. |
| irregular the first few years. The | | | | To help ensure the prevention of many of |
| typical menstruation period lasts from | | | | the vaginal infections discussed above, |
| three to five days, though many women | | | | douching and using heavily fragranced |
| experience either shorter or longer | | | | soaps and sprays are discouraged. The |
| periods. The most common characteristics | | | | vaginal area should be kept clean by |
| associated with menstruation include: | | | | using mild soap outside the vaginal |
| vaginal discharge, blood flow, vaginal | | | | area. Wearing loose fitting clothing, |
| odor, cramps, bloating, tenderness in | | | | cotton underwear, and pantiliners are |
| breasts, difficulty sleeping, and | | | | encouraged. Other ways to reduce the |
| moodiness. Although several of these | | | | risk of developing yeast and other |
| symptoms are typical of PMS (i.e., | | | | bacterial infections include: practicing |
| premenstrual syndrome), they often | | | | safe sex, wiping from the front to the |
| persist throughout menstruation as well. | | | | back, reducing stress levels, and |
| In addition to varying menstruation | | | | keeping diaphragms and medication |
| cycles and durations, it is normal for | | | | applicators clean. |
| all women to exhibit vaginal odor, | | | | Other Abnormal Conditions |
| vaginal discharge, and blood flow during | | | | In addition to recognizing unhealthy |
| menstruation. Odor is strongest while | | | | forms of discharge and other infections |
| perspiring and once ovulation begins and | | | | due to bacteria, there are other |
| is caused when perspiration mixes with | | | | elements of menstruation that women |
| the bacteria from your skin. Wearing | | | | should monitor. One major cause for |
| cotton underwear and a pantiliner, even | | | | concern is the absence of menstruation, |
| once menstruation has ended will help to | | | | which is also known as amenorrhea. |
| prevent vaginal odor. | | | | Adolescent girls typically begin their |
| During menstruation, blood flow can be | | | | first menstrual cycle between the ages |
| light, moderate, or heavy. By the end of | | | | of 11-16. Therefore, if a girl has not |
| menstruation approximately four | | | | begun menstruating by the age of 16, she |
| tablespoons to a cup of blood will be | | | | should consult her physician. This type |
| lost. This flow, which consists of blood | | | | of condition is known as primary |
| and tissue, occurs in various forms of | | | | amenorrhea. |
| reds and browns. Clotting commonly | | | | Other women experience oligomenorrhea, |
| occurs as well. In addition to the blood | | | | which is light or infrequent |
| flow, women also release small amounts | | | | menstruation. This condition is more |
| of clear or white vaginal discharge | | | | common in young girls who have recently |
| called leukorrhea. This discharge may | | | | begun menstruating. Secondary amenorrhea |
| alter in color and consistency during | | | | occurs when women who previously |
| menstruation by becoming heavier and | | | | experienced normal menstrual cycles have |
| whiter (similar to an egg white | | | | ceased to menstruate for at least three |
| consistency). | | | | cycles.1 Extreme weight loss due to a |
| Leukorrhea is a normal element of the | | | | serious disease, stress, eating |
| menstruation cycle and helps to keep the | | | | disorders, and excessive exercise are |
| vagina clean. However, other types of | | | | potential causes of this absence. |
| vaginal discharge can be dangerous. | | | | Difficulties with reproductive organs |
| Therefore, it is important to learn the | | | | and hormonal problems can also affect |
| difference between leukorrhea and its | | | | the menstrual cycle in this way. |
| more dangerous cousins in an effort to | | | | Although women experience varying |
| prevent vaginal discharge that can be | | | | degrees of symptoms, extreme levels |
| harmful in the future. | | | | should be recognized. If bleeding is |
| Unhealthy Vaginal Discharge | | | | excessively heavy (an average loss of |
| Unhealthy vaginal discharge is generally | | | | blood is two ounces), occurring between |
| associated with bacterial infections. | | | | menstruation periods, or periods are |
| Although there are several forms of such | | | | occurring too close together, a woman |
| infections, each is associated with an | | | | may be experiencing menorrhagia. |
| unpleasant odor, vaginal irritation, | | | | However, it is not uncommon for young |
| itching, and painful urination. The most | | | | girls who have recently started the |
| common type of unhealthy vaginal | | | | menstruation cycle to spot between |
| discharge is bacterial vaginosis. This | | | | periods. Extremely long periods, those |
| discharge can be caused by the organism | | | | lasting longer than ten days, are also |
| Gardnerella, an anaerobic bacteria, | | | | characteristic of this condition. This |
| which forms in the absence of oxygen. | | | | condition is also known as DUB (i.e., |
| However, Gardnerella is only one of many | | | | dysfunctional uterine bleeding). |
| bacteria that can be associated with | | | | Hormonal imbalances, fibroids and polyps |
| bacterial vaginosis; others include | | | | could also cause these symptoms. |
| Prevotella, Bacteroides, Mycoplasma, | | | | Cramps, another common condition of |
| Mobiluncus. | | | | menstruation, should only cause concern |
| Bacterial vaginosis can be detected by | | | | if they are frequent, severely painful, |
| clear, milky white, or gray discharge | | | | and cannot be relieved with over the |
| and vaginal odor. The discharge can be | | | | counter pain medication, such as |
| light or heavy. However, symptoms are | | | | ibuprofen or aspirin. |
| worse near menstruation and after having | | | | Dysmenorrhea, the cause of such |
| unprotected sexual intercourse. When the | | | | cramping, can either be caused from very |
| vaginal fluid is mixed with semen, the | | | | "extreme uterine muscle contractions" or |
| odor intensifies. | | | | other medical conditions, such as |
| Although women who are not sexually | | | | uterine fibroids and endometriosis. |
| active can develop bacterial vaginosis, | | | | These extreme contractions usually begin |
| it is more common in women who have had | | | | two to three years after menstruation |
| multiple sexual partners. Women may also | | | | has started and can last up to 32-48 |
| be more apt to develop this condition | | | | hours after bleeding has begun. |
| after engaging in sexual intercourse | | | | Treatment for both dysmenorrhea and |
| with a new partner.4 Douching and poor | | | | menorrhagia is dependent upon further |
| feminine hygiene also increase the | | | | investigation by a physician. |
| likelihood of developing this bacterial | | | | Toxic Shock Syndrome |
| discharge and others. Many women who | | | | Women should also be cognizant of any |
| have bacterial vaginosis do not even | | | | sudden or major changes in their bodies |
| notice the symptoms. Even in the absence | | | | during menstruation when using tampons. |
| of physical symptoms, however, bacterial | | | | TSS (i.e., toxic shock syndrome) is a |
| vaginosis can be detected during a | | | | rare but dangerous condition that is |
| physical exam and treated with | | | | caused by toxins of certain types of |
| antibiotics. | | | | bacteria and is associated with tampon |
| A yeast infection is another form of a | | | | use.5 In fact, approximately half of TSS |
| bacterial infection that affects many | | | | cases are from women using tampons and |
| women and is caused by the fungus | | | | teenagers and women under 30 have an |
| Candida. In fact 75% of women will incur | | | | increased risk of developing TSS. |
| at least one yeast infection during | | | | Other cases of TSS have also been linked |
| their lives. Vaginal discharge | | | | to infections following surgeries, |
| associated with yeast infections is | | | | insect bites, and burns. The most common |
| white with a cottage cheese consistency. | | | | symptoms of TSS are vomiting, diarrhea, |
| Like bacterial vaginosis, there are | | | | high temperature, dizziness, muscle |
| several reasons one may develop a yeast | | | | aches, feeling faint, and a sunburn-like |
| infection. | | | | rash. TSS also causes a loss of blood |
| Hormone changes, wearing tight fitting | | | | pressure (called hypotension) which |
| clothing or wet bathing suits for | | | | leads to dizziness, fainting, and |
| extended periods of time, diabetes, | | | | ultimately may lead to a loss of |
| being overweight, and the use of | | | | function of the entire organ systems |
| antibiotics seem to be linked with yeast | | | | (gastro-intestinal, nervous, |
| infections. Taking antibiotics not only | | | | respiratory, etc.). If this condition |
| destroys harmful bacterial but useful | | | | develops, a health care professional |
| bacteria as well, which disrupts the | | | | should be contacted immediately. |
| body's balance. However, antibiotics can | | | | Additionally, it is important to choose |
| still be effective in treating unhealthy | | | | the lowest necessary tampon absorbency |
| vaginal discharge. Not only are yeast | | | | level and to change the tampon every |
| infections common, but approximately | | | | four to eight hours (or more if |
| five percent of women develop such | | | | necessary). |
| infections four or more times a year. | | | | Alternating the use of tampons with |
| This condition is known as RVVC | | | | feminine pads will help to decrease the |
| (recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis). | | | | risk of TSS. However, in women who are |
| "Although RVVC is more common in women | | | | predisposed or susceptible to TSS, even |
| who have diabetes or problems with their | | | | the correct, conservative use of tampons |
| immune systems, most women with RVVC | | | | is not a surefire way of preventing TSS. |
| have no underlying medical illnesses." | | | | If you are predisposed to TSS consult |
| Whether a yeast infection is reoccurring | | | | your physician for more information on |
| or infrequent, women are encouraged to | | | | the best preventative methods. |
| see their health care providers if an | | | | Putting it All Together |
| infection is suspected. Yeast infections | | | | After reading about these |
| can be cured through the use of oral | | | | characteristics one may still be |
| pills, vaginal suppositories, and | | | | questioning whether her menstrual cycle |
| vaginal creams. Although anti-yeast | | | | is normal and healthy. Answering several |
| creams are effective in curing yeast | | | | questions will help to determine this |
| infections, they do not cure other types | | | | answer. Has your cycle undergone any |
| of vaginal infections. Additionally, | | | | major changes? Although menstruation may |
| some creams may weaken latex condoms and | | | | not occur exactly on the 28th day each |
| diaphragms. | | | | month (unless you are using birth |
| Another major type of vaginal infection | | | | control pills), it is important to fall |
| is trichomoniasis. Women experiencing | | | | within the range of 20-45 day cycles |
| this condition will exhibit similar | | | | consistently. |
| symptoms found in yeast infections and | | | | Are your periods extremely heavier or |
| bacterial vaginosis. However, vaginal | | | | lighter than usual? It is common for the |
| discharge associated with trichomoniasis | | | | flow level to fluctuate during a |
| is typically yellowish green. | | | | menstrual period but it should be |
| Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted | | | | somewhat consistent from month to month. |
| disease with an increased risk of | | | | If you experience cramps, are they |
| contraction for women who have had more | | | | debilitating? Yes cramps can be annoying |
| than one sexual partner. Men rarely | | | | and painful but they should not prevent |
| exhibit symptoms, which increase the | | | | you from getting out of bed or |
| probability of reinfection for women. | | | | participating in normal life activities |
| Like women experiencing bacterial | | | | each month. Finally, is your vaginal |
| vaginosis some women may appear | | | | discharge and odor heavy and strong? |
| asymptomatic. Therefore, taking safety | | | | If your discharge is clear and not |
| precautions during sexual intercourse | | | | overly foul outside of your ovulation |
| can reduce the risk of trichomoniasis. | | | | and menstruation period, it is a good |
| Both men and women can be treated with | | | | indication that the discharge is |
| antibiotics. | | | | healthy. Considering all of these |
| The final common type of bacterial | | | | factors will assist women in determining |
| infection that affects one in five women | | | | if their menstrual cycles are normal and |
| is a urinary tract infection. Although | | | | healthy. However, all women should |
| vaginal discharge does not occur, | | | | actively seek to prevent vaginal |
| irritation during urination is present. | | | | discharge that is outside the norm, get |
| Cloudy and foul smelling urine, blood in | | | | regular physical examinations, and |
| urine, lower back pain, urinating in | | | | question medical professionals if |
| small amounts, and the need to urinate | | | | concerns arise. Taking these precautions |
| frequently are common symptoms of a | | | | will help to promote a woman's health. |
| urinary tract infection. | | | | |